What to Check Before Signing a Skin Procedure Consent Form

If your goal is cosmetic improvement, ask specifically which part of your desired outcome this procedure cannot deliver. These checks follow Article 24-2 of Korea's Medical Service Act and the explanation duties Korean courts have built around it.

Hello, I am Dr. Kim Kyungsoo, head physician of the Seocho branch of UH CELL Clinic. I graduated from Seoul National University College of Medicine and hold medical licenses in both South Korea and Japan. Our Seocho branch sits inside UH FLAT The Seocho, at 30 Banpo-daero 16-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul.

I encourage every patient to ask any remaining questions before signing, not after.

The Explanation Items in Korea's Medical Service Act

Article 24-2 of the Medical Service Act, as published by the Korea Law Information Center, requires a physician to explain specific matters and obtain written consent before performing surgery, a blood transfusion, or general anesthesia carrying a risk of serious harm to life or body. Written consent includes electronic documents. When a patient lacks the capacity to decide, a legal guardian receives the explanation and gives consent instead.

This article applies directly to surgery, blood transfusion, and general anesthesia. Whether it covers every outpatient skin procedure, such as laser treatment or an injection, depends on the specific procedure and method used.

How the Supreme Court Has Interpreted This Duty for Skin Procedures

The Supreme Court of Korea has repeatedly held that a side effect being rare does not by itself excuse a physician from the duty to explain it. If that side effect is a typical risk of the treatment, or if it is serious and irreversible, established case law treats it as something the patient should have been told about even when it is uncommon.

Cosmetic procedures carry one additional standard. In its 2013 ruling in case 2012Da94865, the Supreme Court addressed how thoroughly a physician performing a cosmetic procedure must explain the situation when the requested method can only achieve part of the result the patient wants.

So it is fair to ask, during a consultation, not only what a procedure will improve but also what it will not resolve. Patients are encouraged to raise this question directly, because how much a lifting or skin booster treatment can achieve depends on skin condition and goals that vary from person to person.

Consent Form Checklist: What to Ask Line by Line

Points to Verify During a Seocho Consultation

The products used are worth checking as well. Comparing the product name on your consent form against the product opened in front of you lets you verify the record against what actually happens in the room.

If a question does not come to mind on its own, reading the side-effects section of the consent form out loud can help surface it. Signing can wait until the explanation is fully understood.

Preparing in Advance as an Overseas Patient

The pre- and post-care section is worth reading with extra care.

• Bring a list of current medications, supplements, and any allergy history, written in your own language if possible, to shorten the consultation.
• Let us know the type and timing of any procedures you have had before, since that affects how this treatment is planned and spaced.
• Share your return flight date early in the consultation so downtime can be factored into scheduling.

If you would like to review the consent form content again in your own language, raising that at the booking stage helps us prepare for it.

If the Plan Changes After You Sign

Sometimes the plan set during consultation shifts by the day of treatment, often because a closer look at the skin leads to adjusting the area or method. If something changes, ask what changed and why, and confirm it again before proceeding.

FAQ

If I sign the consent form, does that mean I cannot raise an issue if a side effect occurs?

A consent form is a record that you heard the explanation and made your choice. In its 2014 ruling in case 2013Da28629, the Supreme Court described the duty to explain as protecting a patient's right to self-determination and the opportunity to choose a treatment, and it evaluated that duty separately from the standard of care required during the procedure itself. Legal outcomes depend on the specific facts of each case, so any concrete dispute is best discussed with a legal professional.

Can a guardian hear the explanation and sign instead of the patient?

The Medical Service Act allows a legal guardian to receive the explanation and give consent when the patient lacks the capacity to decide. For an adult patient with decision-making capacity, the principle is that the patient hears the procedure details and risks directly and decides for themselves.

Does an electronic consent form signed on a tablet carry the same weight as a paper one?

The Medical Service Act explicitly states that written consent includes electronic documents. What matters more than the format is whether you scrolled through and read the full content on the screen before signing. You are welcome to ask to see the signed content again afterward if you need to.

Skin reactions and recovery timelines vary from person to person. Please discuss your specific diagnosis and treatment plan with a physician.